The Penallt Viaduct is an iconic landmark on the River Wye in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Used as a railway viaduct for the Wye Valley railway until 1959, it is now in need of vital conservation measures to ensure its future.
Kate Biggs (Wye Valley AONB Heritage Officer) and Andrew Nixon (Wye Valley AONB Development Officer) attended Redbrook on September 1st, during the popular Monmouth Raft Race, to highlight the bridge’s plight by hanging a banner from the bridge during the race and talking to Redbrook residents and visitors.
Following on from a survey carried out on the bridge last year by Opus International (UK), the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit will be applying for Heritage Lottery funding to undertake work which will enable the bridge to fulfil its potential. The study reports on ways the bridge can be enhanced and provide a safe crossing for multiple users which would include a new deck and further conservation measures.
Community consultation on how the bridge should be preserved is extremely important to any future plans and several consultation events have already been held within the area. Penallt and Redbrook communities have been really supportive – however there is still time to register your feelings about the bridge online. You can also take the survey which can be accessed from the Redbrook Bridge Conservation menu on the Wye Valley AONB website.
For further any information on the progression of the consultation please contact Kate via email [email protected] or Andrew Nixon [email protected]